Sunagakure.
Rasa watched the scenes of the future flash across the Light Screen without a word.
Memories of the past churned in his mind.
When Gaara was born, his wife Karura died. Rasa had buried the pain of losing her and taken all his resentment out on their son.
On the Light Screen, Rasa saw Gaara treated like a monster by the entire village, shunned and met with cold stares.
Yet Gaara had endured that darkness and become a Kazekage whom people admired.
Rasa had always believed he was the one who had made that achievement possible for his son.
Only now did he realize that Gaara had fought his way there, step by step, through boundless loneliness.
It was Naruto Uzumaki, the blond boy from Konoha, who had taught Gaara what it meant to protect someone.
As the Light Screen replayed the cruel things he had once said to Gaara, Rasa's chest ached.
He finally understood how many things he had done wrong.
Thankfully, the tragedy had not happened yet.
Yashamaru was still alive. He would not follow that future path and be ordered to assassinate Gaara.
Standing nearby, Elder Chiyo looked at the silent Fourth Kazekage and sighed softly. "Thank goodness the Light Screen showed this future to everyone. Otherwise, sooner or later, it would have led to a disaster we could never undo."
Rasa looked desolate, and his voice was low. "Pass down my order! Gaara is my son."
"No one is to lay a hand on him. From now on, let him do as he wishes. I'll treat him well."
Elder Chiyo studied Rasa. She had seen clearly how much he had changed since she last spoke to him.
A trace of relief rose in Chiyo's eyes, and she nodded slowly. "Now you're not only a worthy Kazekage. You're a worthy father, too."
Rasa's face grew hot. He turned his head away awkwardly. "Enough talk. Go."
Chiyo acknowledged him and hurried toward Gaara's home.
Gaara looked up at the Light Screen. Scene after scene passed before his eyes, each one sending another pang through his chest.
But when it showed him meeting Naruto, the piercing pain eased a little.
A powerful desire rose in Gaara's heart: he wanted to meet the blond boy on the Light Screen in person.
Yashamaru stood beside him, his expression conflicted. He had seen what his future self would do, and he now understood what he truly felt. His emotions surged.
Yashamaru's eyes reddened, and his voice caught. "I'm sorry... For all these years, I'm truly sorry."
Gaara shook his head gently, a hint of acceptance in his eyes. "I don't blame any of you. If anything, I should thank you."
"If I hadn't seen this future, I might never have met Naruto."
"And just like on the Light Screen, I'll earn everyone's recognition and become Kazekage."
Before long, Elder Chiyo hurried over with Temari and Kankuro.
After seeing what Gaara had endured on the Light Screen, his brother and sister could no longer hold back their tears.
Temari rushed forward and pulled Gaara into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gaara. I never knew you'd suffered so much."
"From now on, your big sister will protect you. I won't let Father treat you harshly again. No one gets to hurt my little brother."
Kankuro stood beside them, his face full of indignation and his heart aching for Gaara.
Gaara looked at his brother and sister, then at Elder Chiyo as she approached. He said nothing.
But for the first time, he truly understood what it meant to have family and companions.
"Thank you," Gaara murmured.
Konoha.
The Hyuga Clan Compound.
Ever since Hinata was little, Neji had told her that scenes of the future would appear in the sky.
Neji had told her she would one day meet a boy named Naruto, and that boy would fight with everything he had to protect her.
Hinata had always thought it was a distant tale.
But now the Light Screen truly hung in the sky.
The moment she heard Sasuke Uchiha call out "Naruto" on the Light Screen, Hinata fixed her eyes on the blond boy.
She watched Naruto give everything he had to protect his companions and shed tears for Gaara. Her chest tightened painfully.
Whenever Naruto was sad, she felt miserable too.
Neji noticed something was wrong with Hinata and spoke gently. "That blond boy is Naruto. He's an amazing person. You two will meet someday."
Hinata looked up at Neji beside her. Her cheeks warmed slightly as she answered softly, "Mm."
The Uchiha Clan Compound.
Sasuke had been practicing with his Shuriken when the Light Screen's sudden appearance in the sky caught his attention.
As he watched the future unfold, he saw his grown-up self and the boy named Naruto.
His brother Itachi had already told him that this boy would be his companion someday.
Lightning burst from the Chidori on the Light Screen, setting Sasuke's blood racing. He also saw Naruto with Gaara—and saw that his future self actually listened to Naruto.
Itachi Uchiha walked up to Sasuke, bent down, and gathered him into his arms. His gaze was gentle. "Did you see him, Sasuke? That boy is Naruto."
"Learn from him. Make true friends and earn everyone's recognition. Only then will you be fit to become Hokage."
Everyone in the Uchiha knew what fate awaited Sasuke on the Light Screen, and they treated him with particular affection.
Unlike in the original story, Itachi was now always by Sasuke's side, and both their parents were alive and well.
Sasuke was full of anticipation and curiosity. He wondered when he would finally meet Naruto.
Sasuke looked up at Itachi. "Big brother, when is Naruto coming back to Konoha?"
Itachi rubbed the top of his head and answered patiently, "I'm not sure, but you'll meet sooner or later."
Sakura Haruno looked up at the Light Screen. The short-haired girl in the scene was her future self.
She watched that future self, now a medical Ninja, treat the injured Gaara. She was full of questions.
Why have I never seen that blond boy named Naruto in the village?
Ino Yamanaka came over and teased her with a smile. "Hey, Forehead! Who knew you'd become a medical Ninja? Not bad."
Sakura's cheeks instantly grew hot, but the word "Forehead" made her bristle. "I am not Forehead! Why, you—!"
The two bickered, then chased each other around.
Choji Akimichi stuffed his mouth with potato chips, crunching loudly. He looked amazed. "Wow, Shikamaru, that Naruto is incredible! How come I've never seen him?"
Shikamaru Nara looked as though everything was too much trouble. "What a pain. My dad told me Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son. That's all I know."
Choji's eyes shone with admiration. "So he's the Fourth Hokage's son! Come to think of it, I've never met the Fourth Hokage himself."
Shikamaru answered casually, "I heard he went out on a mission and hasn't come back yet."
Choji stuffed another large potato chip into his mouth and muttered, "So that's why. I'd love to meet him. I've got to get stronger, too."
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